What’s Your Plan For Downtown Bozeman?

Downtown Bozeman is currently working with consultants to try to plan for downtown growth that is sure to come eventually.

For residents who’ve lived here for the past 20 years or so there have been many changes in our downtown and the surrounding areas.

Downtown Changes I Would Make

One of the biggest bottlenecks in downtown is the lack of ability to go around the block. In most cities one-way streets are set up so that three right turns are possible, and you can circle the block.

Not in downtown Bozeman.

Either reverse the one-way streets of Babcock and Mendenhall or make them two-way streets. To solve this problem.

No human being I’m aware of on this planet likes to parallel park. So, make Main single lanes in both directions with angle parking and a turn lane.

Do You Want Up Or Out?

Do you want to build Bozeman up like New York City or spread out like Los Angeles? Neither one sounds very appetizing to a longtime resident.

Like it or not we are probably going to be stuck with one or the other. Most likely up rather than out.

Business expansion on both Mendenhall and Babcock will be an important part of our future downtown economic growth.

Some Final Thoughts

Growth is inevitable. No plan can stop it even though the city commissions of the 90s tried as hard as they could.

If we build it, they will come. There is no truer statement.

If people want to live here, start a business here, or retire here — they will.

It’s been said that a city with a population of 50,000 can be self-sustaining. We are very close to that figure at this writing.

How big will we get in the future is anyone’s guess. The real answer is in how well we plan for growth and opportunity. What kind of Bozeman would you like?